How can beginners effectively navigate PHP updates for platforms like WordPress?

Beginners can effectively navigate PHP updates for platforms like WordPress by regularly checking for updates and ensuring compatibility with their current PHP version. They can also utilize tools like the PHP Compatibility Checker plugin to identify any issues before updating. Additionally, beginners should back up their website before making any updates to avoid any potential data loss.

// Example PHP code snippet to check PHP version compatibility in WordPress

if ( version_compare( PHP_VERSION, '7.0', '<' ) ) {
    // Display a warning message to the user
    echo 'Your PHP version is outdated. Please update to a newer version for better security and performance.';
}